NatWest bank branches to open on Sunday over IT meltdown

NatWest bank branches will open on Sunday to help customers deal with technical issues that have seen millions of accounts not updated or completely inaccessible.

Trouble: NatWest is facing a consumer backlash over its technical glitch (Picture: AFP/Getty)

The bank says it is ‘working round the clock’ to clear a backlog of cases after apparently resolving the technical issues that led to bills not being paid out and holidaymakers abroad not being able to make payments.

Branches in towns and cities will be open until 7pm tonight, 6pm on Saturday and between 9am and 12pm on Sunday.

The Financial Ombudsman Service meanwhile has urged affected customers to keep a record of what has happened with NatWest pledging that no one will be out of pocket as a result of the technical problems.

The bank, with its ‘helpful banking’ slogan, has come in for some severe criticism by customers on Twitter.

One user wrote: ‘natwest what are u doing! I’m off on holiday today meant to get paid today so where’s my money? helpful banking ay!’

Another added: ‘Due to complete on flat purchase today. All the money missing in cyberspace. Stressful enough without this, thanks natwest.’

A NatWest spokesperson said: ‘We apologise to our customers for this unacceptable inconvenience.’